For more than 30 years, over three presidential runs, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has been waiting to notch a victory like the one he received in the South Carolina primary this weekend. The win also prompted former Mayor Pete Buttigieg to end his presidential bid, potentially resetting the race for the Democratic nomination. How did Mr. Biden do it? And what could his success mean for Super Tuesday?

Guest: Alexander Burns, who covers national politics for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

• Mr. Biden has moved quickly to capitalize on his victory and to recast the Democratic primary campaign as a two-man contest between himself and Senator Bernie Sanders.
• To maintain momentum, he will have to win again in some states on Super Tuesday. That effort has some notable hurdles to overcome.